World Cocoa Foundation

A Huge Thank You to Our Partnership Meeting Sponsors! ?? We’re incredibly grateful to our sponsors for their support in making the World Cocoa Foundation Partnership Meeting a success. Your leadership and dedication shape resilience through sustainability. #WCFPM2025 #WCFPM #SustainableCocoa #CocoaAction

In a year defined by uncertainty - soaring prices, regulatory shifts, funding cuts -?one message rang clear: resilience is only possible through sustainability. And sustainability only works when it’s built together. ? As we wrap up this year’s WCF Partnership Meeting, we want to thank everyone who made it possible, from our incredible speakers to our attendees, co-organisers and the many hands behind the scenes. ? Partnership across the sector is our foundation. Your resilience, in the face of market volatility, climate pressure and regulatory shifts, is our shared call to action. ? We look forward to turning this week’s conversations into impact. See you next year! #WCFPM #WCFPM2025 #SustainableCocoa #CocoaAction

This week the World Cocoa Foundation 2025 Partnership Meeting is taking place in S?o Paulo, Brazil. This leading global event brings together #cocoa stakeholders throughout the value chain and from all over the world to talk about the future of the sector. Brazil, as a smaller production country compared to the West-African countries, wants to increase its production in the upcoming 5 years and can share many valuable experiences on transparency and agroforestry. This event marks another wake-up call and shows that we are reaching the planetary and human boundaries, also for Cocoa production. It is clear that we need a #Mutir?o – the Portuguese word derived from the indigenous Tupi-Guarani language that refers to a group coming together to work on a shared task. This is Brazil’s strong motto for the #COP30, upcoming in #Belem. Since the Netherlands is the world’s biggest importer of cocoa beans (providing the Dutch economy with an added value of EUR 9,9 billion), we are committed to contribute to making the cocoa sector more resilient, securing cocoa supplies in the future. The cocoa sector is currently under stress, supply has dropped due to crop disease, illegal mining and climate change. Cocoa prices have increased to historical heights. At the same time, EU legislation is demanding full transparency of a sector that is still very hard to trace due to all the smallholder farmers involved. It is great to see the dynamic within the sector and the best practices that can be shared across countries.? Our Consul-General in S?o Paulo Wieneke Vullings together with our Agricultural Counselor Paul Van de Logt, our Honorary Consul Annette de Castro and the team from the Hague (Mirte Ruesen) participated in the conference, and particularly contributed to the event Women in Cocoa, the panel on cocoa policies and the Living Income breakfast we organized together with IDH The Sustainable Trade Initiative and VOICE Network ?#WCF2025 #WCFPM2025 Solidaridad Network Sustainable economic development @ Dutch MFA

"The issues facing the cocoa sector are systemic, woven into the very structure of our global supply chains. To build a sustainable future, we must collaborate pre-competitively to design a long term commitment, where long-term solutions take precedence over short-term gain. The world is shifting beneath our feet - the only way forward is together.” – Santiago Gowland “We must focus on what unites us, creating partnerships with associations where possible, and utilising existing resources. If we don’t prioritise clearly as a country, progress will stagnate. Being honest and transparent in forums like this is essential, as is understanding our internal strengths and weaknesses, and defining what we aim to achieve.” – Merlyn Casanova Loor “Regulatory uncertainty is not a setback - it's an opportunity. From evolving traceability standards to new sustainability frameworks, we have the chance to proactively engage with these changes and ensure the solutions we create reflect the needs of the cocoa sector.” – Brian McKeon “Changing consumer preferences are clear. If you want to eat chocolate, you want to know it didn’t do damage. The next generation of chocolate consumers wants more than just a product - they demand transparency, ethical sourcing, and sustainability in every bite. Every dollar wasted is one a farmer doesn’t get.” – Paul Davis “Technology alone won’t solve the problem. Smallholder farmers need the right access to tools, tech, and support to boost productivity. It's about making sure these innovations reach the farmers who need them most - at scale.” – Anna Paula Losi “Our world is breaking. We don't know what the new reality will be in one month, one year. Take steps as you leave the room today and force people to collaborate. Explain to farmers around the world why the carbon market, fair market value, blended finance is important. If we succeed in that, we’ll build resilience through sustainability. If we don’t, we lose.” – Marcello Brito As we leave this room, we carry more than insights - we carry responsibility. The time for theory is over - the next decade is about execution. Let’s move with urgency, act with intention and build something that lasts. #WCFPM #WCFPM2025 #CocoaAction #SustainableCocoa ?

"For thousands of years, my people have spoken about biodiversity and our connection with nature. Cocoa is the heart of the world. If we separate ourselves from nature, it will impact us - we must share this planet and care for it. Agroforestry is the way to protect biodiversity and we still have time to return to these practices. We must do this, not just for ourselves, but for the future." – Cayetano H. Hernandez ? Biodiversity is essential but often overlooked. It underpins economies, ecosystems, and cocoa productivity. ? Agroforestry is more than planting trees. It’s about managing shade, regenerating ecosystems and leveraging existing biodiversity for long-term resilience. ? The business case is clear. Investing in biodiversity can drive higher yields and climate resilience, while inaction could cost billions. ? Indigenous knowledge matters. Traditional practices offer valuable solutions for sustainable cocoa farming and biodiversity protection. Protecting biodiversity isn’t just an environmental need - it’s a necessity for the future of cocoa. Let’s take action. ?? #WCFPM25 #WCFPM #CocoaAction #SustainableCocoa

“No single country can combat cocoa diseases alone – we have a lot to learn from each other” – Rolando H. Cerda ???? Cocoa diseases are among the biggest threats to global supply, causing 30-40% losses and putting millions of livelihoods at risk. And with climate change accelerating the spread of pests and pathogens, the need for global collaboration has never been greater. ?? Genetics is at the core of the solution. Developing disease-resistant varieties is critical, but they must be resilient to multiple threats - not just one. Public-domain genetic research offers a foundation for cross-border collaboration. ?? Agroforestry isn’t just an environmental practice - it’s disease prevention. A better microclimate reduces plant stress, enhances resilience, and even slows disease transmission by mitigating wind-borne spores. ?? Preparedness is key. Every outbreak gives us a chance to learn from past experiences. Sharing knowledge, investing in farmer training and implementing early detection strategies (like CSSV test kits) can make a difference before crises spiral. ?? Funding is the missing link. The biggest challenge isn’t just developing solutions - it’s financing them. A global fund or knowledge-sharing platform could accelerate innovation, helping farmers and scientists get ahead of emerging threats. This is a collective challenge and no single country, organization, or farmer can tackle it alone. Breaking silos, sharing experiences and working together will determine the future of cocoa. #CocoaAction #WCFPM #WCFPM2025 #SustainableCocoa

Join us at the Innovation Marketplace! ?? The World Cocoa Foundation Partnership Meeting's Innovation Marketplace is where practical solutions take center stage. From new farming techniques to sustainability tools, this space brings together ideas that can drive real change in cocoa. It’s more than just a showcase - it’s a space for collaboration, problem-solving and pushing the industry forward. Exciting to see so many game-changing ideas in one place! #WCFPM2025 #WCFPM #InnovationMarketplace #SustainableCocoa

Great insights from Chris Vincent in this new article From The Desk of CocoaRadar on the latest global update for the cocoa sector! Thank you for shedding light on these key conversations and for emphasising the crucial role of collective action in sustainability ???? At WCF, we we believe that lasting change comes from working together. Let’s keep the momentum going! #WCFPM #WCFPM2025 #CocoaAction

The first day of #WCFPM is behind us. The conversations were bold, the insights deep and the urgency clear. Cocoa is changing - are we shaping it or just reacting to it? Here are the key takeaways: ? Volatility isn’t just a challenge, it’s an opportunity. Trust, openness, and action - not certainty - drive real transformation. ? Chocolate is more than a product. It carries the weight of livelihoods, communities and sustainability. The choices we make now will define its future. Day 1 of #WCFPM2025 brought big conversations and bigger questions. Cocoa is shifting. The market is volatile. But volatility creates opportunity, if we’re bold enough to act. Sustainability, social justice, and resilience must go hand in hand. More learnings ahead! On to day 2! ??? #WCFPM #CocoaAction #SustainableCocoa

A huge thank you to AIPC for sponsoring a fantastic reception at the World Cocoa Foundation Partnership Meeting! Your support helped create a space for meaningful connections, insightful discussions, and the exchange of bold ideas that will drive the future of sustainable cocoa. ? Moments like these remind us that collaboration is at the heart of real change. Grateful to have partners like AIPC on this journey! ? #WCFPM2025 #WCFPM #SustainableCocoa #CocoaAction